Basic Beef Stew

PanNan's Note:

I know, I know, not another beef stew recipe. But, after reviewing 5 pages of beef stew recipes posted here, this does not appear to be a duplicate. It's our favorite. When I use my pressure cooker it's ready in less than an hour, and the flavor can't be beat. Note for the World Tour participants - stews are an English tradition, and typically include meat and root vegetables. English peas are also very common in British cookery.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 35 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 2 lbs stewing beef , cut into 1 inch cubes
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 4 cups water
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 4 bay leaves
• ½ teaspoon thyme leaves (or 1 sprig fresh)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 lb peeled carrot , cut in large pieces
• 3 potatoes , diced
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen peas

cornstarch slurry

• ¼ cup cornstarch , mixed in (optional)
• ½ cup cold water (optional)
• 3 -5 drops maggi seasoning

Directions:

1. In large Dutch oven heat oil over medium heat.
2. Add meat; brown well.
3. Add onion and garlic; saute until transparent.
4. Add 4 cups water (slightly less if using pressure cooker) and tomato sauce.
5. Add bay leaves, thyme, salt and pepper.
6. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes.
7. Add carrots, potatoes and peas.
8. Cover and cook 30 minutes on medium low or until vegetables are tender.
9. Add corn starch slurry if sauce is too watery.
10. Bring stew to a boil, stirring constantly.
11. Boil 1 minute.
12. Add Maggi seasoning and serve with crusty rolls.
13. **Note-Time can be reduced if cooking in a pressure cooker.
14. However, please check your pressure cooker instruction booklet for proper times.
15. Each pressure cooker is different.
16. Mine reduces time by 1/3.
17. Some others reduce cooking time by 2/3.

Reviews

[CookbookCarrie]

WOW great flavor. Ironically, I didnt end up using my pressure cooker, but the meat was wonderfully tender and the gravy was really tasty. I didnt have Maggi seasoning so I used kitchen boquet, a browning/gravy sauce.

[canarygirl]

We really enjoyed this stew! It was easy to prepare, the instructions were clear, and the result was a thick and hearty stew. Next time I make this, I think I'll add some red wine after the meat is browned and the onions tender, then reduce. I think that this would give this dish the depth of flavor that would put it over the top. Thanks for a great recipe, Pan Nan! :)

[mozarth622]

Fallowed the recipe to the letter but at the last minute i made some adjustments to meet our personal taste .It was easy and turned out to be a wonderfull meal that we will do again